present 1 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
Definition of presentnext
1
as in to offer
to bring before the public in performance or exhibition we will present a performance of Our Town tomorrow evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to introduce
to make (one person) known (to another) socially may I present my niece Sarah?

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to donate
to make a present of the company presented a gold watch to him on the occasion of his retirement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

2 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
as in current
existing or in progress right now I am very busy at the present moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attending
being within the confines of a specified place all of you are required to be present for every meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

3 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I cannot talk to you at present, but perhaps in a few minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
as in gift
something given to someone without expectation of a return an impressive array of presents for the bride and groom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb present contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of present are afford, bestow, confer, donate, and give. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

In what contexts can afford take the place of present?

The words afford and present are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade
a development that affords us some hope

When might bestow be a better fit than present?

While in some cases nearly identical to present, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When is it sensible to use confer instead of present?

In some situations, the words confer and present are roughly equivalent. However, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

Where would donate be a reasonable alternative to present?

The synonyms donate and present are sometimes interchangeable, but donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When could give be used to replace present?

While the synonyms give and present are close in meaning, give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms
gave her a ride on a pony
give my love to your mother

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of present
Verb
This case presents their unique chance to vindicate that value and to summon the best that is within us while there is still time. —Time Staff, Time, 18 Apr. 2025 The federal prosecutor did a wonderful job and presented the case to their jury, sought justice and got justice for Alexis and her family. —Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Marvel has since pulled the film entirely from its release calendar, and Lindo isn't at present involved. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Though Turtle was not physically present, Green made sure she was honored in a heartfelt toast. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
This set-it-and-forget-it gift is the Mother’s Day present that keeps on giving. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2025 The new Netflix series, Adolescence, has been taking the television streaming market by storm with 96.7 million views at present. —Samantha Mann, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for present
Recent Examples of Synonyms for present
  1. offer
  2. introduce
  3. donate
  4. current
  5. give
  6. volunteer
  7. ongoing
  8. available
Verb
  • All offers end April 30 (each can only be used once and offers do not stack).
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Brentford offered lots of options for this exercise and Keane Lewis-Potter solved some problems at left-back.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of offer
Verb
  • To that end, the show creators introduced Catherine O’Hara as Joel’s therapist Gail in the first episode of Season 2.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Reddit introduced progressively stricter controls to stop bots from accessing the platform, after instituting a controversial change to its API policies in 2023 that forced devs to pay up.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of introduce
Verb
  • Resting at auction and donate the proceeds to the organization.
    — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Keiser said fans responded by donating ears in a variety of themes — Haunted Mansion, Star Wars, Main Street Electrical Parade, Minnie Mouse — from personal piles and storage.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of donate
Adjective
  • But the report cautioned that the positive results could change if current economic volatility leads to a deterioration of the jobs market.
    — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • While the English top flight stands out globally for its elite level of football, the choice of listening material among its current managers is much more middle of the road, with Coldplay the band most cited during our writers’ research.
    — The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of current
Verb
  • Despite that, a growing number of companies do so voluntarily because the information gives them a leg up in the business world.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • This is the Court that just last year gave us Trump v. United States, with its inflated concept of Presidential authority and extensive grant of Presidential immunity from criminal prosecution.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • She’s continued to take classes for more than 10 years now and also volunteers for the institute.
    — Jeanne Rawdin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Drone to Home, based in the U.K, has hundreds of drone operators and Wellbeing Walkers who volunteer their time to search for missing animals.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of volunteer
Adjective
  • Reps for Amazon and Howell are not commenting, but sources say negotiations are currently ongoing for Howell to join the series.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Discussions around a new tax bill are ongoing on Capitol Hill, but there does not currently appear to be any pointed push to remove the tax exemption on these bonds.
    — Jesse Pound, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • The report also found that there were no significant outbreaks of COVID-19-like symptoms at Defense Department facilities after the athletes returned, although service members were not tested for COVID-19 or antibodies as testing was not available at that early stage of the pandemic.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Samsung promises Ballie will be available in Korea and the U.S. this summer.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of available

Phrases Containing present

Browse Nearby Words

presences
present
presentable
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Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/present. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on present

Nglish: Translation of present for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about present

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